A male wild elephant died of electrocution after it pushed an electric post and a powerline fell on it, near Thondamuthur in Coimbatore district early on Thursday (October 23, 2025).
Forest Department officials said the tusker, aged around 25 years, was electrocuted at Kuppepalayam village near Thondamuthur.
The carcass of the elephant was found on an agricultural land abutting a public road in the village at around 5 a.m. The owner of the agricultural land alerted the Forest Department staff attached to the Boluvampatti range after spotting the carcass.
The staff found an electric post installed on the side of the road fallen on to the agricultural field, and one of the power cables was trapped under the elephant’s carcass.
According to the Forest Department, the electric line was installed along the side of the public road recently. The road is located around 500 metres off Boluvampatti Block II reserve forest of Boluvampatti range, Coimbatore Forest Division.
Officials added that arrangements were being made for the post-mortem examination on the carcass of the tusker.
Female elephant dies in Pollachi range
A female wild elephant died within the limits of the Pollachi forest range of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve on Wednesday (October 22).
Field staff found the elephant in ailing condition while patrolling Oomandi forest area in Paruthiyur beat of Pollachi range on Wednesday morning. As efforts were being taken to revive the elephant, it died at around 1.30 p.m. The post-mortem examination on the carcass was performed in the evening. Veterinarians opined that the deceased elephant could be aged between 25-30 and it is suspected to have died of ailments.
Published – October 23, 2025 12:24 pm IST
